The Hard Road Trio from New Mexico will be in concert at the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse on Friday, May 17. The concert starts at 7 and admission is $15.

Life-long musicians Steve Smith (vocals, mandolin, mandola and guitar) and Chris Sanders (vocals and guitar) are joined by emerging artist Anne Luna (vocals and bass), capturing audiences across the country with the depth of their songwriting and the power of their distinctive voices. Their music grows from Steve’s love of bluegrass rooted in his native Virginia, the beauty of choral singing ever-present in Chris’ Minnesota childhood and the tradition of music in Anne’s New Mexico family. Together, their Southwestern blend of Roots and Bluegrass music provides a unique heartbeat and lilt underscored by Anne’s driving and elegant bass. Their “perfect harmonies” (Audiophilereview.com) are “…delivered with a sense of connection and joy, both in the music and in sharing of it.” (Kerry Dexter, Wandering Educators)

Appearances by the Trio include Tucson’s Desert Bluegrass Festival, Pickin’ in the Pines, Bighorn Mountain Festival, Swallow Hill in Denver, Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, Black Rose Acoustic Society, Wildflower Concerts, Albuquerque Folkfest, Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage, Rice Festival, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass as well as an official showcase at FAR West in Oct. ’12. Steve has also played and recorded with Jim Hurst, Missy Raines and the Alan Munde Gazette. Steve, Chris and Anne continue to be in demand as teachers and clinicians (Camp Bluegrass, HCamp, California Coast Music Camp, Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp and Zoukfest).

The trio will also be holding workshops in Fayetteville on Thursday, May 16. The workshops will include bass, mandolin and vocals, call Chris, 575-571-5298 for more information and to register.

Email mshirkey@sbcglobal.net or call him at 479-409-1224 for more information. Doors open at 6:30.